U.S. Anime Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (T.V., Movie, Video, Music, Internet Distribution, Merchandising, Pachinko), By Genre (Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy), And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

U.S. Anime Market Size & Trends

The U.S. anime market size was estimated at USD 2.21 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.0% from 2024 to 2030. The market in the U.S. is experiencing a surge in merchandise and events, showcasing the vibrant fan culture. Anime conventions, merchandise stores, and collaborations between anime franchises and mainstream brands are on the rise.

Fans are actively engaging with their favorite anime through various channels, and the demand for merchandise such as figures, clothing, and accessories is driving strategic partnerships and exclusive releases.

The U.S. market is undergoing several transformative trends, reflecting a significant shift in the industry's dynamics. Primarily, there is a remarkable increase in mainstream acceptance of anime beyond its traditional fan base. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation are instrumental in this trend, offering a vast array of anime content to a wider audience. As a result, there's a growing investment in localization, dubbing, and the production of original anime content tailored to Western preferences, contributing to the genre's broader appeal.

Furthermore, the market's landscape is diversifying in terms of genres and formats. While action and adventure remain dominant, there's a growing interest in genres like slice of life, romance, and isekai. This diversification caters to a more varied audience, contributing to the industry's overall growth. The success of anime films like "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" and "Your Name" in the U.S. indicates a broader appreciation for anime beyond traditional TV series.

Moreover, streaming services are playing a crucial role in shaping viewing habits and preferences. With the convenience of on-demand streaming, viewers are exploring a wide range of anime genres and discovering new titles. This trend is influencing content creation, with platforms investing in a mix of established classics and fresh, innovative series to cater to evolving viewer tastes. This, in turn, is fueling the demand for the market in U.S. over the forecast period.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market growth stage is high, and the pace of the market growth is accelerating. The U.S. market showcases a high degree of innovation driven by robust industry competition. Animation studios and streaming platforms consistently strive to push creative boundaries, employing cutting-edge storytelling techniques, unique visual styles, and advanced animation technologies to captivate audiences. The competitive landscape extends to the development of inventive business models and distribution strategies, with streaming services leading the way in introducing novel subscription plans, exclusive content, and strategic collaborations. This dynamic environment fosters a continuous cycle of innovation, ensuring that U.S. anime remains at the forefront of the global entertainment industry by meeting diverse audience preferences and exploring new frontiers in storytelling and representation.

The U.S. market is marked by a notable level of industry competition, further intensified by the significant merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the sector. Animation studios, streaming platforms, and entertainment conglomerates are actively engaging in mergers and acquisitions to consolidate their market presence, expand content libraries, and diversify offerings. This strategic approach allows companies to leverage synergies, gain access to intellectual properties, and enhance their competitive edge in the evolving landscape. M&A activities are driven by the pursuit of strategic partnerships, vertical integration, and acquisition of key talents and franchises, all contributing to the overall dynamism and competitiveness of the U.S. anime industry.

The U.S. market experiences industry competition influenced by the impact of regulations. The sector operates within a framework of regulatory guidelines that shape content creation, distribution, and licensing. These regulations, whether related to broadcasting standards or intellectual property rights, play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape. Compliance with industry-specific regulations can be a factor that sets companies apart, ensuring ethical practices and adherence to content standards.

As consumers have access to a variety of entertainment services beyond traditional anime platforms, such as video games, streaming services for other genres, and social media platforms, anime providers face competition for viewers' attention. To stand out in this landscape, companies in the U.S. market often employ strategies to differentiate their offerings, enhance user experience, and provide unique content. The ability to offer compelling alternatives or complementary services become a crucial aspect of industry competition, prompting anime platforms to innovate and cater to diverse entertainment preferences to maintain and expand their viewer base.

In the U.S. market, industry competition is significantly influenced by the preferences and demands of the end user. As viewers increasingly seek diverse and personalized content experiences, anime providers are compelled to understand and cater to the evolving tastes of their audience. The competition revolves around creating content that resonates with different demographic groups, including age brackets and cultural backgrounds. Streaming platforms and studios engage in a continuous feedback loop with end users, leveraging data analytics and user feedback to refine content strategies and improve user experience. The ability to capture and retain the attention of the end user through engaging storytelling, diverse genres, and accessible platforms becomes a key determinant of success in the competitive U.S. market.

Type Insights

The internet distribution segment led the market in 2023 with a 23.8% revenue. This is attributed to the changing landscape of content consumption habits. The convenience and accessibility offered by online streaming platforms have played a pivotal role in this growth. With platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll providing a vast library of anime titles for on-demand viewing, consumers can easily access a diverse range of content at their convenience. This shift from traditional broadcasting to internet distribution aligns with the preferences of modern audiences, who value flexibility in their viewing experience. The ease of streaming, coupled with a diverse content catalog, has made internet distribution the preferred choice for many anime enthusiasts, driving its significant market share in 2023.

The merchandising segment is expected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the flourishing fan culture and the increasing demand for tangible connections to beloved anime franchises. As mainstream acceptance of anime expands, fans are not only consuming content but actively seeking ways to engage with their favorite series and characters. Merchandising allows enthusiasts to express their fandom through the purchase of collectibles, clothing, accessories, and more. Collaborations between anime franchises and mainstream brands further contribute to the appeal of anime merchandise. This trend signifies a desire for immersive experiences and tangible connections, driving the merchandising segment during the forecast period.

Genre Insights

The action & adventure segment held the largest market revenue share in 2023. This is attributable to the widespread appeal and enduring popularity of dynamic and thrilling storytelling. Action & Adventure anime often feature intense and captivating narratives, intricate character developments, and visually stunning animation, attracting a broad audience. The genre's ability to blend compelling plotlines with adrenaline-pumping sequences resonates with both existing anime enthusiasts and newcomers. In addition, the success of streaming platforms in making diverse anime titles easily accessible contributes to the genre's growth, as viewers can readily explore and engage with a wide range of action-packed series, solidifying its position as the leading revenue contributor in the market.

The Sci-Fi & Fantasy segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the enduring allure of imaginative and otherworldly narratives that captivate viewers. Sci-Fi & Fantasy anime often offer innovative and futuristic storylines, exploring unique concepts and fantastical worlds that resonate with a diverse audience. As technology and animation techniques advance, the genre benefits from visually stunning depictions of futuristic landscapes and supernatural elements, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The U.S. popularity of iconic Sci-Fi & Fantasy anime franchises has also contributed to the genre's growth, attracting both long-time enthusiasts and new viewers seeking innovative and immersive storytelling. The genre's ability to push creative boundaries and provide a unique escape into imaginative realms positions it for significant expansion in the forecast period.

Key U.S. Anime Market Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Crunchyroll (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.); Sentai Holdings, LLC, Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.; and Good Smile Company, Inc.

• Crunchyroll (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.) operates an Over-the-top (OTT) platform which hosts anime series, games, and sells anime merchandise in the form of figures, and clothing, among others. In August 2021, the company was acquired by Sony Entertainment Inc., to bring more anime to a larger audience. With this acquisition, Sony would expand its business activities and operations in anime production globally.

• Sentai Holdings, LLC is an entertainment company, which specializes in dubbing and distribution of Asian cinema and Japanese animation. In January 2022, the company was acquired by AMC Networks. With this acquisition, Sentai would distribute top trending titles, with its content available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Crunchyroll, among others.

Discotek Media; Viz Media, LLC; Bioworld Merchandising, Inc.; are some of the emerging market participants in the U.S. Market.

• Discotek Media primarily focuses on licensing and distribution of Japanese films, anime, and television series.

• Bioworld Merchandising, Inc. offers a targeted variety of high-quality, joyful, colorful fashion products at enticing prices to clients. Bioworld currently holds official licenses for over 100 prominent brands, such as The Simpsons, Marvel Superman, Batman, Garfield, The Beatles, Guns n Roses, and Pink Floyd, among others.

Recent Developments

• In November 2023 Crunchyroll (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.) collaborated with Crocs, a footwear company, to release footwear inspired on the popular Shonen Jump manga JUJUTSU KAISEN, including three limited-edition shoe models and Jibbitz.

• In May 2023, AMC networks acquired Sentai Filmworks which allowed it to expand to a wider audience and provide efficient distribution of its content and merchandise to a larger customer base.

• In January 2023, Good Smile Company, Inc. launched a small figurine (Nendoroid) of Hitori Gotou from the Bocchi the Rock! series even before season 2 was announced. The figurine comes with added accessories to suit the character. 

U.S. Anime Market Report Scope

U.S. Anime Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. anime market report based on type and genre:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • T.V.

  • Movie

  • Video

  • Internet Distribution

  • Merchandising

  • Music

  • Pachinko

  • Live Entertainment

• Genre Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Action & Adventure

  • Sci-Fi & Fantasy

  • Romance & Drama

  • Sports

  • Others